System and method for protecting optical fibre splice

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a low-profile splice protection system for protecting multi-fibre fusion splice sites. The splice protection system comprises coating material to package the splice site and may comprise a protective housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/060,996, filed Oct. 1, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/532,885, filed Oct. 6, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,845,540, issued Nov. 24, 2020, which is a National Stage entry ofPCT/CN2015/096315, filed Dec. 3, 2015, which claims the benefit ofChinese Patent Application No. 201410741182.8, filed Dec. 4, 2014, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector and a methodof manufacturing same. In particular, the present invention relates toprotection for the splice site within the optical fibre connector.

BACKGROUND ART

Optical fibre communication systems are becoming widespread. In someareas, service providers wish to provide high-bandwidthtelecommunication capabilities (such as data and voice) to customers.Optical fibre communication systems use optical cable networks totransmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively longdistances. Optical fibre connectors are important components of mostoptical fibre communication systems. The optical fibre connectors allowsrapid optical connection or disconnection of two optical fibres.

A typical optical fibre connector includes a ferrule or junction. Aspring is used to press the ferrule upward, in a forward directionrelative to the connector housing. The ferrule performs the role ofsupporting the end of at least one optical fibre. (In the case of mostmulti-fibre ferrules, the ends of multiple optical fibres aresupported.) The ferrule has a front-end face, and the polished ends ofthe optical fibres are positioned at said front-end face. When twooptical fibre connectors are connected to each other, the front-endfaces of their respective ferrules are adjacent to each other, and theferrules are pressed together by the spring load of their respectivesprings. When optical fibre connectors are connected, their respectiveoptical fibres are generally coaxially aligned, with the result that theoptical fibre end faces oppose each other directly. In such a manner,optical signals can be transmitted from optical fibre to optical fibrevia aligned end faces.

Types of optical fibre connectors may include direct end-receivingoptical fibre connectors and splice-on optical fibre connectors. Directend-receiving optical fibre connectors have ferrules which directlyreceive their corresponding optical fibres. Conversely, splice-onoptical connectors include ferrules that support optical fibre stubs.The optical fibre stubs are spliced to the corresponding optical fibresof optical cables. Exemplary publications that disclose splice-onconnectors include patents with PCT international publication numbers WO2013/126429 and WO 2013/077969. For splice-on optical fibre connectors,the ability to effectively and efficiently protect splice sites is animportant design consideration. In this respect, it would be beneficialto provide a splice protection system which could be easily and quicklyinstalled, that is suitable for small optical fibre structures, and thatprovides flexible protection for splice sites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The guiding principles for the present disclosure are the need for amethod and structure for effectively and efficiently protecting opticalfibre splice sites within optical fibre connectors. Some aspects of thepresent invention relate to a splice protection method and structuresuited to using splice-on multi-fibre optical connectors. Other aspectsof the present invention relates to a method and structure forprotecting multi-fibre splices within the connector body of an opticalfibre connector providing a stable-environment and a sealed structure. Afurther aspect of the present invention relates to a low-profile spliceprotector, which is suitable for protecting a row of optical fibresplices (e.g., the site of multiple fusion splices) and is suitable forlateral mounting within the body of an optical fibre connector. Incertain embodiments, the optical fibre splice is a fusion splicedelimited between a first group of optical fibres and a second group ofoptical fibres. In addition, another aspect of the present inventionrelates to a splice protector, which: a) permits a row of splicesbetween optical fibres to be effectively and laterally mounted withinthe splice protector; b) has a low profile which makes it easy tolaterally mount the splice protector into the connector body; and c) iseasily filled with a curable protective material such as adhesivecement, which is for filling the gaps within the splice protector andfor stabilising, protecting, and mechanically strengthening the splicesite. In one example, the splice protector may have a U-shaped profilewhen viewed in cross-section.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a splice protectionsystem for protection of fusion splice sites delimited between multiplefirst optical fibres and multiple second optical fibres. The spliceprotection system comprises: a splice protector, said splice protectorcomprising a sleeve, said sleeve comprising mutually perpendicularlength, width, and thickness. The sleeve comprises a first main side anda second main side, which are opposite each other and are delimited bysleeve length and width. The first main side and the second main sidecomprise separated main side walls separated from each other by anintervening space extending along the thickness of the sleeve. Thesleeve further comprises a first longitudinal secondary side and asecond longitudinal secondary side positioned opposite each other anddelimited by sleeve length and thickness. The sleeve further comprises afirst lateral secondary side and a second lateral secondary sidepositioned opposite each other and delimited by sleeve width andthickness. The first and second lateral secondary sides are open lateralsecondary sides. The width of the sleeve is at least twice the thicknessof the sleeve. The splice site is disposed inside the sleeve of thesplice protector. Said multiple first optical fibres and multiple secondoptical fibres extend outward from the first lateral secondary side andthe second lateral secondary side of the splice protector sleeve. Thesplice protection system further comprises adhesive cement. The adhesivecement is disposed within the splice protector sleeve in order to fillthe gaps within the splice protector sleeve.

In another aspect, the first longitudinal secondary side comprises alongitudinal wall. The longitudinal wall bridges the gap between saidmain side walls and interconnects said main side walls. Moreover, thefirst longitudinal secondary side is a closed longitudinal side, and thesecond longitudinal secondary side is an open longitudinal side. Inanother aspect, the sleeve could be formed from two matchinghalf-shells.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method forprotecting a splice site with a splice protector sleeve. Said splicesite is delimited between the multiple first optical fibres and themultiple second optical fibres. The splice protector sleeve has alength, a width, and a thickness. The splice protector sleeve comprisesa first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, athird wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, andopen ends. Said method comprises the steps below: (a) putting the splicesite within the splice protector sleeve; (b) injecting adhesive cementinto the splice protector sleeve and filling the gaps between theoptical fibres and the splice protector sleeve; and (c) curing theadhesive cement.

Various supplementary aspects will be set forth in the descriptionbelow. Each aspect relates to single features and to combinations offeatures. Please note that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrativeand are not limitations on the broad inventive concepts on which theembodiments disclosed herein are based.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents an example of an optical cable connector device suitablefor implementing the various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the optical cable connector device in FIG.1 .

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional diagram of a multi-fibre ferrule withoptical fibre stubs that is suitable for use within the connector devicein FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 presents the multi-fibre ferrule with optical fibre stubs in FIG.3 , said optical fibre stubs being spliced to the corresponding fibresof an optical cable.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the splice protector for implementingthe various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5B presents a lateral view of the splice protector of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C presents an end view of the splice protector of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D presents the splice protector of FIG. 5A. It is shown alignedwith the multi-fibre ferrule of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5E presents the splice protector of FIG. 5A positioned on thesplice site delimited between the optical fibre stubs of the multi-fibreferrule of FIG. 3 and the corresponding optical fibres of an opticalcable.

FIGS. 6A through 6C display exemplary assembly steps for installing thesplice protector of FIG. 5A on the multi-fibre splice site.

FIG. 7A presents an assembly component for facilitating installation ofthe splice protector of FIG. 5A on a multi-fibre splice site.

FIG. 7B presents the cover for the assembly component of FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A and 8B display the assembly steps for internal components ofthe optical cable connector device of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another splice protector based onvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a part of the splice protector of FIG.9A.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the splice protector of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D presents the splice protector of FIG. 9A positioned on thesplice site delimited between the optical fibre stubs of the multi-fibreferrule of FIG. 3 and the corresponding optical fibres of an opticalcable.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The guiding principles of the present disclosure relate to asplice-strengthening structure and methods for its application. Incertain embodiments, the splice-strengthening structure is constructedso as to effectively mount and protect a multi-fusion-splice site. Someexamples of a splice-strengthening structure according to principles ofthe present invention have a low profile and are constructed so as to beeasily mounted in a splice-on connector body. In certain embodiments,the splice-strengthening structure according to principles of thepresent invention has a low-profile splice protector sleeve. Saidlow-profile splice protector sleeve is used in combination with acurable splice protection material. Said curable splice protectionmaterial fills the sleeve and the splice packaged and positioned withinthe sleeve. In some examples, the splice protector sleeve has a U-shapedprofile when viewed longitudinally. In some examples, the spliceprotector sleeve has long, thin, low-profile construction. It has afirst side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, athird wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, alongitudinal open side opposite the third wall, and open ends. In someembodiments, the splice protector sleeve comprises two or more matchingparts (e.g., two halves). Every aspect of the present invention isapplicable to hardened and non-hardened splice-on connectors.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an exemplary, multi-aspect optical fibreconnector device 1000 suitable for implementing the present invention.The optical fibre connector device 1000 comprises a hardened multi-fibreoptical connector 20. This multi-fibre optical connector 20 is opticallycoupled to a non-hardened multi-fibre optical connector 22 (e.g., an MPOconnector) via an optical fibre adapter 24. The optical fibre adapter 24is constructed for installation within a housing or on a panel and islimited to receiving the hardened and sealed port of the hardenedmulti-fibre optical connector 20 and receiving the non-hardened port ofthe non-hardened multi-fibre optical connector 22.

Refer to FIG. 2 . The hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20 is asplice-on connector coupled to an optical cable 400. The optical cable400 comprises multiple optical fibres 120 (e.g., single-core ormulti-fibre ribbon) contained within a sheath 460. The optical cable 400further comprises strength members 461. The strength members are forproviding optical cable 400 stretch and compression reinforcement. Asshown in the figure, the optical cable sheath 460 has a flat structure.In other embodiments, the optical cable may have other shapes (e.g., around cable, a butterfly-shaped optical cable, etc.). In certainembodiments, the strength members 461 may comprise strengthening rodsdelimited by fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin. However, another type ofstrength member might be used (e.g., aramid fibre).

The hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20 comprises a connector body410. The connector body 410 supports a multi-fibre ferrule 210 at thefront end of the connector body 410. The multi-fibre ferrule 210 ispressed upward, in a forward direction relative to the connector body410, by a spring. The hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20 furthercomprises a strengthening sleeve 26 and a housing 28 which fit over theconnector body 410. The housing 28 comprises a thin length 28 a thatfits over the strengthening sleeve 26 and an end cap 28 b that fits overthe multi-fibre ferrule 210. A sealing part 30 may be disposed on thethin length 28 a and is for forming a seal with the optical fibreadapter 24 when the hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20 is securedin the hardened port of the optical fibre adapter 24. The hardenedfastener 32 is provided for securing the hardened multi-fibre opticalconnector 20 in the hardened port of the optical fibre adapter 24. Inthe embodiment described, the fastener is a twist-lock fastener. It isshown as an external-thread nut. Said external thread binds with thecorresponding internal thread delimited internally by the hardened portof the optical fibre adapter 24. In another example, another type oftwist-lock fastener may be used such as a snap fastener or alternativelyan interior thread sleeve. The hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20further comprises a shape-memory sleeve 34 (e.g., heat-shrink tubing),which provides a seal between the optical cable sheath 460 and thehousing 28. The hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20 furthercomprises a strain-relief sleeve 36, which provides bending-radiusprotection and strain relief at the interface between the optical cable400 and the housing 28.

The connector body 410 of the hardened multi-fibre optical connector 20may comprise a main body 411, a first cover part 412, and a second coverpart 413. In the example shown, the first cover part 412 and the secondcover part 413 are installed on the longitudinal-side opening 414 of themain body 411. The cover part 412 may comprise a part that serves as aspring retainer. After the optical fibre stubs 110 (refer to FIGS. 3 and4 ) supported by the ferrule 210 have undergone multiple fusion splicingat the splice site 130 with the optical fibres 120 of the optical cable400, the longitudinal-side opening 414 permits the ferrule 210 to belaterally installed into the main body 411. In the example, the splicesite 130 is protected by the splice protection system 100. The spliceprotection system 100 comprises a splice protector sleeve 101 (refer toFIGS. 2, 6A, and 6B) and adhesive cement 109 (refer to FIG. 5B).

FIG. 3 presents a multi-fibre ferrule assembly 200. The multi-fibreassembly 200 comprises an ferrule 210. The ferrule 210 supports multiplestubs having multiple optical fibres 110. The ferrule comprises a frontend 211. The front end 211 is positioned opposite the back end 212. Theoptical fibres 110 preferably are aligned within the ferrule in a rowstructure. The row structure of the optical fibres 110 has a width W110.The optical fibres 110 extend through the ferrule 210, with the shortlead-out end 111 extending out from the rear end 212 of the ferrule 210and from the optical fibre 110 front ends 112 located at the front end211 of the ferrule 210. The front ends 112 of the optical fibres 110 arepolished. It is possible to access the polished front ends 112 at thefront end 211 of the ferrule 210.

FIG. 4 presents an optical cable 400. The optical cable 400 has opticalfibres 120 that are spliced to the optical fibres 110 of the ferruleassembly 200 at the splice site 130. Generally, the ends of the exposedoptical fibres 110 and 120 are fused together using an energy source(e.g., electric arc), and thus the optical fibres 110 and 120 arespliced together.

The exposed part 140 of the optical cable 400 is preferably protected toprevent breaks. FIGS. 5A through 5E are diagrams of the spliceprotection system 100 according to the principles of the presentdisclosure. As shown in the figures, the splice protection system 100comprises a splice protector sleeve 101. The splice protector sleeve 101has a width W101, a length L101 delimited by the first end 107 and thesecond end 108, and a thickness T101 delimited by a first main side anda second main side. The first main side and the second main sidecomprise a first main-side wall 102 and a second main-side wall 103. Thefirst main-side wall 102 and the second main-side wall 103 are separatedby an internal space 106 having the distance (i.e., thickness) S106. Themain-side walls 102 and 103 may be roughly rectangular. The spliceprotector sleeve 101 further comprises first and second longitudinalsecondary sides located opposite to each other and comprising a closedsecondary wall 104 connected to the first side wall 102 and second sidewall 103 and an open side 105. The splice protector sleeve 101 furthercomprises open lateral secondary sides 107 and 108. In the example, thewidth W101 is greater than the thickness T101. The width W101 may be,for example, at least three times as large as thickness T101, at leastfour times thickness T101, or at least five or six times its thickness.In the example shown, the splice connector sleeve 101 has a U-shapedcross-section (FIG. 5C). The U-shaped cross-section could be round,V-shaped, rectangular, or rectangular with rounded corners. The widthW101 of the splice protector sleeve 101 is preferably greater than thewidth W110 of the optical fibres 110 row structure at the splice site130, so that when the splice site 130 is placed within the internalspace 106 of the splice protector sleeve 101, the first side wall 102and second side wall 103 basically envelop the optical fibres 110 alongthe length of the splice protector sleeve 101.

FIGS. 6A through 6C show assembly and positioning of the spliceprotector sleeve 101 around the splice site 130. Before splicing theoptical fibres 120 of the optical cable 400 to the optical fibres 110 ofthe ferrule assembly 200, a certain length of the sheath 460 is strippedaway, and protective coating is removed from the optical fibres 120 toexpose the optical fibres 120. Then the exposed optical fibres 120 arepassed through the central aperture in the spring 311 and an optionalspring cover 312, thus placing the spring 311 and the optional springcap 312 over the optical cable 400. The optical fibres 110 and 120preferably are spliced together by fusion splicing.

According to one embodiment, before the exposed part 140 is placed intothe splice protector sleeve 101, adhesive cement 109 is injected intothe internal space 106 of the splice protector sleeve 101. In analternative embodiment, the exposed part 140 is placed in the spliceprotector sleeve 101 prior to injection of the adhesive cement 109. Theadhesive cement is then injected into the internal space 106 of thesplice protector sleeve 101, filling the gaps between the optical fibres110 and 120 and the splice protector sleeve 101. In this manner, theadhesive cement packages the optical fibres and the splice site, thusstabilising and mechanically strengthening the splice site 130.

In an example, the adhesive cement is injected into the internal space106 through an open side (e.g., the open longitudinal side 105). Inanother embodiment, the splice protector sleeve 101 comprises at leastone port 115 on a wall of the splice protector sleeve 101. For example,one or more ports 115 could be positioned on the first main-side wall102, the second main-side wall 103, and/or the secondary wall 104. Theadhesive cement 109 could be injected into the internal space 106through the port 115. In yet another embodiment, a cover 920 comprisinga port 925 (refer to FIG. 7B) could be placed on the splice protectorsleeve 101 so that it covers at least the open longitudinal side 105.The adhesive cement 109 is injected through the port 925 into the spliceprotector sleeve 101.

During the process of assembling the splice protector sleeve 101 and theoptical fibre cable 400 having the ferrule assembly 200, these mayoptionally be retained in the mould 910 (refer to FIG. 7A). The mould910 may comprise a suitably-sized slot 911 for receiving the spliceprotector sleeve 101. The slot 911 preferably comprises one or more opensides allowing installation of the splice protector sleeve 101 into themould 910. The slot 911 may be shaped and sized so that, when the spliceprotector sleeve 101 is placed within the slot 911, the openlongitudinal side 105 of the splice protector sleeve 101 is plugged bypart of the slot 911 and the side having the port 115 is exposed, whichis for injecting the adhesive cement 109. Alternatively, the spliceprotector sleeve 101 could be placed in the mould 910 with the openlongitudinal side 105 facing upwards so that the adhesive cement 109 canbe injected through the open side 105. In an example, the mould 910 issuited to receiving a cover 920. For example, the mould 910 couldcomprise a recess 912. The cover 920 could sit within the recess 912,with the result that, when the splice protector sleeve 101 is disposedwithin the mould 910, the cover 920 seals the open longitudinal side 105of the splice protector sleeve 101, and the port 925 of the cover 920lines up with the open longitudinal side 105 so that the adhesive cement109 is injected into the splice protector sleeve 101 through the port925. The mould 910 further helps to hold the cover 920 firmly in asuitable position while the adhesive cement 109 is being injected.

After the adhesive cement 109 is injected, the adhesive cement 109could, for example be cured by UV radiation or by heating. The types ofadhesive cement 109 may comprise UV-curable adhesive cement,heat-curable adhesive cement, or some other suitable adhesive cement.The types of adhesive cement 109 could comprise, for example, epoxyresin or some other type of resin (e.g., an acrylic resin such ascyanoacrylate, polyester resin, or some other suitable resin). In oneembodiment, the splice protector sleeve 101 and the adhesive cement 109provide a flexible splice protection system 100. The flexible spliceprotection system 100 may be bent without causing damage. The spliceprotector sleeve 101 may be made from a polymeric material. For example,it may be made from polycarbonate (PC) or polyethyleneimine (PEI) or anyother suitable material. In one embodiment, the splice protector sleeve101 is made of material that can be penetrated by UV light. In oneexample, the adhesive cement 109 is shown as permanently securing thesplice protector sleeve 101 onto the optical cable 400 and covering theexposed part 140.

After the splice protection system 100 has been installed on the splicesite, the spring 311 and the spring cover 312 can slide forward over thesplice protector sleeve 101 in the direction of the ferrule, bringingthe spring cap 312 into contact with the rear end 212 of the ferrule210. In the example shown, the splice protector sleeve 101 is separatefrom the ferrule 210. The ferrule 210, the spring 311, the cover 312,and the splice protector sleeve 101 containing the splice site 130 canbe mounted in the main body 411 of the connector body 410 through thelongitudinal-side opening 414 (see FIG. 8A). The side opening 414 canthen be covered by the first cover part 412 and the second cover part413, and the spring can be secured to the appropriate position by thespring retainer of the cover 412. Adhesive cement can be used to fix thestrength members 461 of the optical cable 400 to the rear end of theconnector body 410. Other external components of the hardenedmulti-fibre optical connector may be assembled onto the connector body410. Clearly, the strengthening sleeve 26, the thin length 28 a, thefastener 32, the shape-memory sleeve 34, and the sleeve 36 can slideover the optical cable 400 before splicing and, moreover, slide back onthe connector body 410 after the connector body 410 has been assembled.

FIGS. 9A through 9D show an alternative embodiment of a splice protectorsleeve 151 according to the principles of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 9A, the splice protector sleeve 151 may consist of twohalf-shells 160 and 170. These half-shells 160 and 170 are connectedalong longitudinal secondary sides. The splice protector sleeve 151 hasa length L151 delimited by a first end 152 and a second end 153, a widthW151, and a thickness T151 delimited by a first main side 161 and asecond main side 171 (refer to FIG. 9C). In the example, the width W151is greater than the thickness T151. The width W151 could be, forexample, at least twice the thickness T151 or at least three times thethickness T151, or four or five times. The splice protector sleeve 151further comprises an internal space 156 having the distance S156. Thesplice protector sleeve 151 further comprises lateral secondary sides157 and 158 located at the open first end 152 and second end 153.

The first half-shell 160 is described here and is shown in FIG. 9B. Thesecond half-shell 170 may have the same or similar (e.g., mirror)structure as the first half-shell 160. The first half-shell 160comprises a main-side wall 161 extending from the first end 162 to thesecond end 163 along the first longitudinal side 164 and the secondlongitudinal side 165. The first half-shell 160 further comprises afirst secondary wall extension 166 extending from the main-side wall 161along the first longitudinal side 164 and a second secondary wallextension 167 extending from the main-side wall 161 along the secondlongitudinal side 165. The first half-shell 160 may comprise one or moresnap components, comprising one or more snap insertion holes 168 and oneor more snap projecting blocks 169. The snap components are suitable forconnecting with the corresponding snap components on the secondhalf-shell 170 and serve to secure the half-shells 160 and 170 togetherto form the splice protector sleeve 151.

When the half-shells 160 and 170 are in the assembled positions shown inFIG. 9D, the snap components 168/179 and 169/178 connect together, andthe closed seam 180 is delimited by the first and second secondary wallextensions 166/176 and 167/177. When the splice site 130 is placed inthe internal space 156 of the splice protector sleeve 151, the first andsecond main-side walls 161/171 and the secondary wall extensions 166/176and 167/177 basically envelope the optical fibres 110 along the spliceconnector sleeve 151. In the embodiment shown, the splice connectorsleeve 151 is separate from the ferrule 210.

In certain embodiments, when there is no permanent housing, the splicesite between said multiple first optical fibres and multiple secondoptical fibres can be protected by coating materials (e.g., packagingmaterials such as adhesive cement). These materials could be UV-curablematerials. A protective coating could be applied by spraying, injecting,or overmoulding, or by another technique. In certain examples, theprotective coating materials could be injected or sprayed into, orotherwise fill, a mould around the splice site. Packaging materialscould be cured within the mould, and then the mould could be removedfrom the packaging material. In certain embodiments, a splice siteprotected by sealing agent that lacks housing could be contained withinthe connector body of a vibration-resistant optical fibre connector of atype described above (e.g., the hardened multi-fibre connector 20). Thisvibration-resistant optical fibre connector has a twist-lock fastener.This twist-lock fastener is for securing the vibration-resistant opticalfibre connector in the matching port of a vibration-resistant opticalfibre adapter. A sealing part may be disposed between thevibration-resistant optical fibre connector and vibration-resistantoptical fibre adapter.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described,other embodiments may exist. The particular features and actionsdescribed above are disclosed as illustrative aspects and embodiments ofthe present invention. After reading the descriptions herein, a personwith ordinary skill in the art could become inspired with various otheraspects, embodiments, modifications, and other equivalents withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of thesubject matter of the claims.

LIST OF PARTS

-   -   20 hardened multi-fibre connector    -   22 non-hardened multi-fibre optical connector    -   24 optical fibre adapter    -   26 strengthening sleeve    -   28 housing        -   28 a thin length        -   28 b cover    -   30 sealing part    -   32 fastener    -   34 shape-memory sleeve    -   36 strain-relief sleeve    -   100 splice protection system    -   101 splice protector sleeve        -   L101 length        -   W101 width        -   T101 thickness    -   102 first main-side wall    -   103 second main-side wall    -   104 closed secondary wall    -   105 open side    -   106 internal space        -   S106 distance    -   107 first end    -   108 second end    -   109 adhesive cement    -   110 optical fibres (stubs)        -   W110 width    -   115 port    -   120 optical fibres    -   130 splice site    -   140 exposed part    -   151 splice protector sleeve        -   T151 thickness        -   W151 width    -   155 port    -   156 internal space        -   S156 distance    -   157 first secondary side    -   158 second secondary side    -   160 first half-shell    -   161 first main wall    -   162 first end    -   163 second end    -   164 first longitudinal side    -   165 second longitudinal side    -   166 first secondary wall extension    -   167 second secondary wall extension    -   168 snap insertion hole    -   169 snap projecting block    -   170 second half-shell        -   171 first main wall        -   172 first end        -   173 second end        -   174 first longitudinal side        -   175 second longitudinal side        -   176 first secondary extension        -   177 second secondary extension        -   178 snap insertion hole        -   179 snap projecting block    -   180 seam    -   200 ferrule assembly    -   210 multi-fibre ferrule    -   211 front end    -   212 rear end    -   311 spring    -   312 spring cap    -   400 optical cable    -   410 connector body    -   411 main body    -   412 first cover part    -   413 second cover part    -   414 longitudinal slot    -   460 sheath    -   461 strength member    -   910 mould    -   911 slot    -   920 cover    -   925 port    -   1000 optical fibre connector device

1. A splice protection system, for protecting fusion splice sitesdelimited between multiple first optical fibres and multiple secondoptical fibres 424 said splice protection system comprising: a spliceprotector, said splice protector comprising a sleeve said sleevecomprising mutually perpendicular length, width, and thickness, saidsleeve comprising a first main side and a second main side, which areopposite each other and are delimited by the sleeve length and width,the first main side and the second main side comprising separated mainside walls separated from each other by a separating space extendingalong the thickness of the sleeve said sleeve further comprising a firstlongitudinal secondary side and a second longitudinal secondary sidepositioned opposite each other and delimited by sleeve length andthickness, said sleeve further comprising first and second lateralsecondary sides positioned opposite each other and delimited by widthand thickness of the sleeve the first and second lateral secondary sidesbeing open lateral secondary sides; wherein said width is at least twicesaid thickness, wherein the fusion splice site is disposed inside thesleeve of the splice protector, wherein said multiple first opticalfibres and second multiple second optical fibres extend outward from thefirst lateral secondary side and the second lateral secondary side ofthe splice protector sleeve; and wherein the splice protection systemfurther comprises adhesive cement, the adhesive cement being disposedwithin the splice protector sleeve in order to fill the gaps within thesplice protector sleeve.
 2. The splice protection system as described inclaim 1, wherein the second longitudinal secondary side is an openlongitudinal side.
 3. The splice protection system as described in claim2, wherein the fusion splice site is loaded into the sleeve through theopen longitudinal side, and wherein the fusion splice site is positionedin said intervening space between the main side walls, and said opticalfibres, after being mounted in the sleeve at the fusion splice site,extend through the open lateral secondary sides of the sleeve.
 4. Thesplice protection system as described in claim 1, wherein said length isat least twice as large as said width.
 5. The splice protection systemas described in claim 1, wherein the opposing first main side and secondmain side of the sleeve are roughly rectangular.
 6. The spliceprotection system as described in claim 1, wherein at least two opticalfibres among said optical fibres are laid through the sleeve.
 7. Thesplice protection system as described in claim 1, wherein said opticalfibres are arranged in a row structure, said row structure having thewidth extending along the width of the sleeve.
 8. The splice protectionsystem as described in claim 1, wherein the splice protection system isinstalled using a mould, said mould having a base and a cover, saidcover being constructed such that it seals an open longitudinalsecondary side and comprises an injection port.
 9. The splice protectionsystem as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said main sidewalls or a smaller wall bridging the gap between said main side wallsdelimits the boundaries for an adhesive cement injection port.
 10. Thesplice protection system as described in claim 1, wherein said adhesivecement is UV-curable.
 11. The splice protection system as described inclaim 1, wherein the width of said optical fibre row structure is lessthan the width of the splice protector.
 12. The splice protection systemas described in claim 1, wherein the sleeve of the splice protector hasa U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the length of thesleeve.
 13. The splice protection system as described in claim 1,wherein said multiple first optical fibres are secured to a ferrule andsaid multiple second optical fibres extend from an end of an opticalcable 404 and wherein the splice protector sleeve is separated by a gapfrom the ferrule.
 14. The splice protection system as described in claim13, wherein said ferrule is supported within a connector body, and thesleeve is contained within the connector body.
 15. The splice protectionsystem as described in claim 14, wherein the sleeve is laterallyinstalled into the connector body through the longitudinal slotdelimited by the open side of the connector body.
 16. The spliceprotection system as described in claim 14, wherein the connector bodyis a firm, durable part of the connector, the connector comprising atwist-lock external fastener and at least one sealing part.
 17. Thesplice protection system as described in claim 1, wherein a firstlongitudinal secondary side comprises a longitudinal wall bridging theseparating space between said main side walls and connecting said mainside walls to each other, the first longitudinal secondary side being aclosed longitudinal side.
 18. The splice protection system as describedin claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed from two matching shell parts.19. The splice protection system as described in claim 18, wherein saidshell parts are halves, wherein at least one of said shell partsdelimits an injection port.
 20. A method for using a splice protectorsleeve to protect a splice site, said splice site being delimitedbetween multiple first optical fibres and multiple second opticalfibres, the splice protector sleeve having a length, a width, and athickness, the splice protector sleeve comprising a first side wall, asecond side wall opposite the first side wall, a third wall connectingsaid first side wall and second side wall, and open ends, said methodcomprising the steps described below: positioning the splice site withinthe splice protector sleeve; injecting adhesive cement into the spliceprotector sleeve and filling the gaps between said optical fibres andthe splice protector sleeve; and curing the adhesive cement. 21.(canceled)